“Yes,” said Storm. Then in a husky voice he added: “I don't know if we shall ever meet again, you and I. When death breaks the link that binds people——”
“For God's sake don't say that!”
“But it is so, isn't it?”
“Heaven knows! Certainly the letter she left behind—the letter to Rosa—— Poor child, she was such a creature of joy—so bright, so brilliant! And then to think of her—— I was much to blame—I came between you. But if I had once realized——”
Drake stopped, and the men fixed their eyes on each other for a moment, and then turned their heads away.
“I'm afraid I've done you a great injustice, sir,” said Storm.
“Me?”
“I thought she was only your toy, your plaything. But perhaps” (his voice was breaking)—“perhaps you loved her too.”
Drake answered, almost inaudibly, “With all my heart and soul!”
“Then—then we have both lost her!”